St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-07-16
HOUSEHOLD HYGIENE.
ATTACKS OF SUNsTROKE AND
HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM.
Cause of the Disease Well Known and the
Prevention NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
Danger-EHects of Intemperance-Venti-
lated Hats and Wet Sponges to be Worn.

probable that in fully-developed cases the
mortality is much higher, for in many in
stances about one half of those attacked die.
In every large city in the United States
this terrible malay claims its victims when
ever the temperature on clear days rises to
$50 and upward.
While doctors are still in doubt concerning
the essential nature Of the morbid condition
known as sunstroke or heat-stroke, the
causes of the disease are very well known,
and its mode of prevention understood.
An attack of sunstroke is nearly always
preceded by certain symptoms which should
direct the individuals attention to the i'm
pending danger. These symptoms are a hot,
dry skin-the perspiratiOn being checked
dryness of the mouth and throat, flushed
face, suffusion Of the eyes and throbbing Of
the head. In some cases there is slight de-
irium, in others sense of weakness or con-
fusion Of thought, with alternate flushing
and cooling of the face, such as sometimes
comes on after smoking strong cigar The
pulse is usually rapid, sometimes internit-
tent, and if the temperature Of the body be
measured with a thermometer, 1t will be
found several degrees above ''blood heat"
If no attention is paid to these Fremont
tory symptoms and exposure to the exciting
cause continues, the stroke comes. The
person suddenly falls to the ground, becomes
unconscious and comatOse, or is attacked by
frequent commissions The breathing is
deep, slow and snoring; the pulse very rapid
and the skin dry and burning hot. In some
cases, however, especially of that variety
classed as 'heat-stroke" that is to say where
the individual was not directly exposed to
the rays Of the sun, the pulse is weak and
the skin pale, cold and moist. In these
cases there is great danger of paralysis of the
heart, following extreme exhaustion of the
nervous system.
The causes of sunStrOke are excessively
high temperature, exhausting physical
labor, excessive indulgence in alcoholic
liquors and deprivation of water. Soldiers
on a march in hot weather are very subject
to sunstroke, especially when suffering for
want of water. In the Federal army during
the late war there were 1900 cases of sun
stroke, but owing probably to prompt atten-
ton from the medical officers the mortality
was low.
Laborers working in confined spaces, such
as stevedores, are frequently Frustrated by
heat-stroke and a large proportion of these
succumb to the attack.
Nothing is more firmly and conclusively
established in the whole range of medical
practice than that intemperance is the most
prominent and fatal predisposing cause of
sunstroke a drunken man is not only much
more liable to be attacked, but he is almost
certain to die from the effects. All authori-
ties are agreed upon this point. The most
efficient preventive measure may therefore
be declared to be the avoidance of spirituous
liquors.
The means of prevention are already indi-
Gated by consideration of the causes. Ex-
posure to high temperature or excessive
eXertlon should be avoided. Thisis, however,
easier said than done in most cases. Hence,
whatever measures will reduce the evil in
tiuence of the above conditions must be
adopted. When exposed to the sun, light,
well-ventilated hat should be worn. A
broad-brimmed straw probably answers the
demands better than any other. The cork
helmet as worn in the East Indies is also
serviceable, but its unsightliness will prob
ably prevent its general use in this country.
A sponge or handkerchief wet with cold
water. placed in the hat, will keep the head
cool, and produce general reduction of tenn
perature in the body. This is a measure
which should be adopted especially by sol
diers on the march.
The clothing should be loose and light,
and frequent bathing of the face head and
arms will counteract the pernicious effects
of the high temperature.
Plenty of water internally is one of the
best preventives of sunstrOke. 1t has been
found that soldiers, upon whom the most
accurate observations have been made, Sue
cumb to the effects of heat only after the
supply I drinking water is exhausted. So
long as the canteens are full sunstroke does
not occur in any army.
In cases of sunstroke competent physi
ciar should be at once sent for. But in the |
meanwhile the bystanders should not be |
idle. If the individual is unconscious and |
has a hot, dry skin the clothing about the |
upper portion of the body should be opened |
and cold water poured over him. If the |
water is poured upon the head from height |
Of several feet the effect will be greater. So |
long as the heat of the skin seems
excessive the cold effusion should be con-
tinued. Commissions do not contra-indi-
cate this treatment. When the tempera-
ure of the body has become reduced |
n this way, and Inconsistencies still
continues, hot mustard poultices should
be applied to the abdomen and limbs. This
may be done at first in those cases in which
he skin is cold and moist and there seems
% be a tendency to collapse. If the patient
AN swallow, strong. hot coffee or tea may
De given in small quantities. taking care not
o overburden the stomach and cause vomit-
ng. Whiskey or brandy should be given
With great caution. In extreme cases of
depression tablespoonful of whiskey, with
! teaspoonful of aromatic spirits of am
nonia, may be the one thing needed to
ave life, but the judgment required in
leciding when it shall be given is seldom
Ound.
Bleeding is rarely resorted to in sunstroke
It the present day, and in the judgment of
he writer still more rarely required. Some
asses need it and some recover in spite of it,
Under all conditions its employment should
re left to the physician.
Finally, as in so many other diseases, pre-
ention is better than cure in this malady
lost persons who have suffered from sun
trOke carry with them throuoh life snno |